“I want to again apologize for my actions last year. I know that my behavior hurt a lot of people, and I again apologize to them," he said. "I respect the league’s decision on discipline, and I appreciate the time I spent with Commissioner [Roger] Goodell last week. I’m grateful for my time with the Browns over the last month and thankful to all the people in the organization that have welcomed me. I also appreciate all of the support I received from my union through this process.

Kareem Hunt led the NFL in rushing yards as a rookie in 2017.(Photo: Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports)

"My commitment to earning the trust of the league, my teammates, the organization and this community through my actions will continue, and I understand there is a lot of hard work ahead of me before I’m able to fully return to playing the game I love.”

Hunt, 23, was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2017 after leading the league in rushing yards with 1,327. He had 1,202 yards from scrimmage last season before the Chiefs let him go.

With the Browns, Hunt is likely to split touches with Nick Chubb, who emerged as Cleveland's starter with a stellar rookie year of his own in 2018.